Columbus embraces its role as ‘tech capital of the Midwest’

A deluge of private sector funding, rapid growth and a strong business environment contribute to the Ohio city’s surging starts.

Following the arrival of megaprojects like Intel’s $20 billion semiconductor manufacturing hub, so much industrial and tech-related construction is coming to the area that Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted called Central Ohio the “tech capital of the Midwest,” following Google’s August announcement about its $1.7 billion investment in three facilities in the region.

Part of what gives Columbus its appeal, is the market itself. It’s a city with a small town feel, and an attractive place for residents and businesses alike. State and local government agencies do a great job attracting businesses to the area and made it easy for global corporations to set down roots with their factories. The conglomerates join companies like Bath & Body Works, Big Lots and Nationwide, which are all headquartered in Columbus.

Large conglomerates in the area, like Intel and Amgen, which is building a large biomanufacturing plant in New Albany, are investing money in new billion-dollar facilities, training workers and helping to develop the region’s labor force. Despite the success, the Achilles’ heel of this feverish level of construction activity: finding enough workers to staff projects.

Labor issues aren’t unique to the Columbus region. Contractors across the country are scrambling to adequately fill their jobs, even as the broader job market cools off from a scorching summer. July’s job report noted that construction has 363,000 open positions. This leaves firms fighting for the same skilled labor that other employers are looking for on their projects.

The industry’s strategy is to invest in training and continuing education for workers, which will allow Columbus to continue to expand, albeit not at the breakneck pace of the last few years.